Cricket - Ireland claim first win
Ireland secured a first win at the Under-19 World Cup with a convincing six-wicket success against Namibia in the Plate Championship play-off semi-final to set up a possible meeting with Scotland.
Eoin Morgan’s side bowled out their African opponents for just 115 in 36.3 overs and then knocked off the required runs for the loss of four wickets in just 29.2 overs.
It means they will now play in the Plate Championship play-off final on Saturday against the winners of the Scotland-Uganda clash, which takes place on Friday. The winners of that final will be able to call themselves the 13th ranked team at the tournament.
Ireland’s win was founded on excellent spin bowling with their trio of spinners Gary Kidd, James Hall and Greg Thompson sharing eight wickets between them. Hall took four for 29, Kidd captured three for 26 and Greg Thompson picked up one for 11 with only three of the Namibia batsmen reaching double figures.
A target of 116 was never going to be enough for Namibia to defend and with all four of the Ireland top four reaching 20 they eased to victory with more than 20 overs in hand.
Morgan said: “This is long overdue for us. Gary and James were magnificent as they exploited a pitch that took some turn and they troubled all the Namibian batsmen.”
